What if ... there were no tournaments before U12 Spring season?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:I'm not suggesting that all competition be banned prior to U12 Spring. I believe league play and scrimmages/friendlies have a place in these age groups. Reserve the tournaments for the later years when the results can mean a little more.

Having been through the early years (DD is now U14), I'm wondering if the tournaments really added anything during those early years. I've had to get DD to the 7:30AM tournament matches on frozen ground at Muldoon's in November and she's had other tournament matches cancelled due to rain-soaked, non-turf fields. DD and her teammates still choose to play ... even with moderate tournament success (no "championships"). Given that tournament outcomes can be manipulated more than league results, I'm trying to look back and assess the benefits of the tournament structure at those ages, especially when compared to league games and scrimmages.

Anyone think that the quality of play would actually improve if tournaments didn't start until late U12?

It depends on what you think is the purpose of tournaments. My DD is U12. She loves the tournaments more than the league games, especially out of town tournaments where we stay in a hotel. She gets to hang out with her teammates off the field, go swimming, eat at restaurants with the team. Is it the best thing for her soccer development? Probably not but at U12 I don't think everything the team does needs to be for sake of soccer development. Sometimes it's about having fun.

My son loved his U11 and U12 tournaments, for the same reason. Fun for the kids, fun for the parents (or at least for some of the parents, I didn't take a survey). We'd go to VA Beach, kids would have a blast, swim, etc. Now - he is older, moving into showcases, not as much fun.

[Anonymous]

Also tournament medals are the only thing the get to mark a season- no participation trophies and no league trophies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

FPYCparent wrote:I'm not suggesting that all competition be banned prior to U12 Spring. I believe league play and scrimmages/friendlies have a place in these age groups. Reserve the tournaments for the later years when the results can mean a little more.

Having been through the early years (DD is now U14), I'm wondering if the tournaments really added anything during those early years. I've had to get DD to the 7:30AM tournament matches on frozen ground at Muldoon's in November and she's had other tournament matches cancelled due to rain-soaked, non-turf fields. DD and her teammates still choose to play ... even with moderate tournament success (no "championships"). Given that tournament outcomes can be manipulated more than league results, I'm trying to look back and assess the benefits of the tournament structure at those ages, especially when compared to league games and scrimmages.

Anyone think that the quality of play would actually improve if tournaments didn't start until late U12?

It depends on what you think is the purpose of tournaments. My DD is U12. She loves the tournaments more than the league games, especially out of town tournaments where we stay in a hotel. She gets to hang out with her teammates off the field, go swimming, eat at restaurants with the team. Is it the best thing for her soccer development? Probably not but at U12 I don't think everything the team does needs to be for sake of soccer development. Sometimes it's about having fun.

Same. My kid likes nothing better than to spend a weekend hanging out with her teammates, playing multiple games. They pay attention to wins and losses, but barely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why this is a good idea? My kids really enjoy tournaments for the festival like atmosphere. They like them more than normal season games. What does taking them away improve?

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

FPYCparent wrote:I'm not suggesting that all competition be banned prior to U12 Spring. I believe league play and scrimmages/friendlies have a place in these age groups. Reserve the tournaments for the later years when the results can mean a little more.

Having been through the early years (DD is now U14), I'm wondering if the tournaments really added anything during those early years. I've had to get DD to the 7:30AM tournament matches on frozen ground at Muldoon's in November and she's had other tournament matches cancelled due to rain-soaked, non-turf fields. DD and her teammates still choose to play ... even with moderate tournament success (no "championships"). Given that tournament outcomes can be manipulated more than league results, I'm trying to look back and assess the benefits of the tournament structure at those ages, especially when compared to league games and scrimmages.

Anyone think that the quality of play would actually improve if tournaments didn't start until late U12?

Who cares about the quality of play? Many kids of this age love tournaments. If you don't want your kids to play in tournaments then hold them out. Let other people and their kids do what they enjoy.

[Anonymous]

FPYCparent wrote:
What if, prior to a team's U12 spring season ...

Contests were limited to regular league seasons (results recorded as they are now). Teams can still have/host scrimmages and friendlies with other clubs, just with no results recorded. Clubs could hold tournaments that remain within the club.

Would youth soccer be in a "better" place?

Theoretically, more field space would be available for U12+ tournaments. Perhaps more refs would be available. No magical guest players that show up out of nowhere just for the tourney (again, for the years indicated). Would there be less club-hopping trying to place players on a "winning" team or chasing GotSoccer/YSR points?

I'm trying to come up with arguments against this, if it were a policy.

Thoughts?

it's called rec soccer.

[Anonymous]

OP is probably upset her DD doesnt play at a higher level now, gets scraps for fields, coaches, refs, league play, tournaments, and desperately trying to get it back with anyone who would listen.

OP, relax and enjoy these last few years of your DD youth soccer, instead of trying to make it a negative experience for those parents going through the same enjoyment you did a few years back (not saying there's even a remote chance of it ever happening)

No need express and compare what you see as your DD shortcomings and have that translate to the development of youth soccer as a whole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is probably upset her DD doesnt play at a higher level now, gets scraps for fields, coaches, refs, league play, tournaments, and desperately trying to get it back with anyone who would listen.

OP, relax and enjoy these last few years of your DD youth soccer, instead of trying to make it a negative experience for those parents going through the same enjoyment you did a few years back (not saying there's even a remote chance of it ever happening)

No need express and compare what you see as your DD shortcomings and have that translate to the development of youth soccer as a whole.

+1